Christmas Cakes

A few easy cuts let you turn a simple cake into a symbol of the season: a tree for Christmas or a dreidel for Hanukkah.

In one shape or another, sweet, spicy gingerbread has been popular for centuries. During the 1600s, in fact, gingerbread making was such serious business that only certain bakers had rights to make it.

You can use any seedless jam or preserves to fill this jelly roll, although a red raspberry or strawberry looks especially festive.

This sour-cream coffee cake, with pockets of sweet cinnamon, makes a lovely gift for neighbors to enjoy on Christmas morning -- or any other day.

Finish off your holiday dinner with this Christmas tree, with candy ornaments, an icing garland, and presents.

It's a win-win combo -- buttery shortbread and sweet, tangy raspberry jam. As their name suggests, these tasty triangles won't hold up to rough handling, but they make for a pretty presentation at a potluck.

This dessert sandwiches layers of yellow cake with sweet jam, fluffy white icing and a blizzard of coconut shreds.

Creating this chocolate snowman cake is fun for the whole family. My daughters enjoyed watching the snowman's personality emerge as we decorated him with candy and fruit leather.

Flavorful fruit-cancy ribbons are wrapped all over this delicious gift cake that's perfect for birthdays or to serve during the holidays.

For a 'twist' on traditional pumpkin pie, try this delicious spiral cake. Though it looks impressive, it's actually super simple to make. Bring it with you to a harvest party or holiday gathering and let the good times roll!